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spanone

(135,635 posts)
Sat Aug 19, 2017, 10:50 PM Aug 2017

Dick Gregory, civil rights activist and comedian, dead at 84

Last edited Sun Aug 20, 2017, 12:56 AM - Edit history (1)




CNN)Comedian and civil rights activist Dick Gregory died Saturday at the age of 84, his son said on Gregory's official social media pages. Dick Gregory died in Washington, Christian Gregory said, without giving details.

Developing story - more to come

CNN)Comedian and civil rights activist Dick Gregory, who broke barriers in the 1960s and became one of the first African-Americans to perform comedy at white clubs, died Saturday.

He was 84.

Gregory recently rescheduled an event in Atlanta because he was hospitalized. He died in Washington, his son posted on social media without giving details.
"The family appreciates the outpouring of support and love, and respectfully asks for their privacy as they grieve during this very difficult time," Christian Gregory said.

"More details will be released over the next few days."
Gregory satirized segregation and racial injustice in his acts, and was arrested several times in the 1960s for joining civil rights rallies.


http://www.cnn.com/2017/08/19/entertainment/dick-gregory-obit/index.html
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Dick Gregory, civil rights activist and comedian, dead at 84 (Original Post) spanone Aug 2017 OP
Rest in peace shenmue Aug 2017 #1
he was a force back in the sixties....father of 11 children...! spanone Aug 2017 #3
"Down South, white folks don't care how close I get as long as I don't get too big. Up North, white WhiskeyGrinder Aug 2017 #2
He helped turn me against the death penalty shenmue Aug 2017 #4
What a great legacy. WhiskeyGrinder Aug 2017 #5
Dick Gregory, civil rights activist and comedian, dead at 84. LenaBaby61 Aug 2017 #6
Very touching, ty for posting -- I enjoyedyour memories and insight and read it with a smile. ATL Ebony Aug 2017 #19
wow -- RIP Dick Gregory fishwax Aug 2017 #7
Brave and great man nini Aug 2017 #8
Role model. oasis Aug 2017 #9
RIP. What a great man. USA Today article: highplainsdem Aug 2017 #10
RIP-I loved your books. Lifelong Protester Aug 2017 #11
So did I. Nt burnbaby Aug 2017 #17
He was a great man. montana_hazeleyes Aug 2017 #12
Good man who led a great life. raven mad Aug 2017 #13
I wish he could have lived to see the defeat of these maniacs. Ken Burch Aug 2017 #14
RIP, Mr. Gregory H2O Man Aug 2017 #15
... countryjake Aug 2017 #16
Loved this man ATL Ebony Aug 2017 #18
Huge loss. Eliot Rosewater Aug 2017 #20
A great man-may he rest in peace Gothmog Aug 2017 #21

WhiskeyGrinder

(22,145 posts)
2. "Down South, white folks don't care how close I get as long as I don't get too big. Up North, white
Sat Aug 19, 2017, 11:13 PM
Aug 2017

folks don't care how big I get as long as I don't get too close."

Rest in power, sir.

LenaBaby61

(6,965 posts)
6. Dick Gregory, civil rights activist and comedian, dead at 84.
Sat Aug 19, 2017, 11:29 PM
Aug 2017

I saw Mr. Gregory's name trending on twitter earlier and sure enough, he has passed. He was 84, and when he was hospitalized last week with a "serious" illness I didn't get a good feeling.

A gentleman I've followed since my childhood in the late 1960's.

Controversial on some things, but he was never, ever boring. He had much to say, he made you THINK and he empowered a LOT of people, and spoke truth to power, especially on health and nutrition and on civil rights. And, even though rough and humble beginnings, lived life to a pretty ripe age and definitely to the fullest--the world didn't owe him anything. He delivered straight with NO chaser. His honesty was refreshing. He leaves behind a rich, deep and large legacy.

Rest in power Mr. Gregory....Your VOICE will be missed.

Condolences to his family/friends.

















My youth continues to leave me.


Such is life .....

 

Ken Burch

(50,254 posts)
14. I wish he could have lived to see the defeat of these maniacs.
Sun Aug 20, 2017, 12:51 AM
Aug 2017

They WILL lose, but it may take awhile.

Thank you, Mr. Gregory, for all you did and for all that you were.

Rest in power.

ATL Ebony

(1,097 posts)
18. Loved this man
Sun Aug 20, 2017, 12:54 PM
Aug 2017

Met him twice -- once in Newark (campaigning for Newark's 1st black Mayor, Kenneth Gibson); and once in LA at a Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles restaurant. Was having breakfast on a Sunday morning in LA and looked to my right and saw Alex Haley, Dick Gregory, Flip Wilson, Jim Brown and a host of others seated in a corner. I was given a "don't dare come over here look" but I was not going to be denied so I grabbed a few napkins, made my way over there and got autographs from a few -- Alex Haley was one, he had just published "Roots" (the book) so I keep his autographed napkin in that book.

I recall most of his comedy as political satire and it was f-u-n-n-y! Mr. Gregory you've worked tirelessly as an activist and it's now up to us to continue the struggle. You've brought much joy to so many, R.I.P. I will always remember you fondly.

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